340 BIRD-LIFE IN WESTERN CANADA 



bird commonly sings from a bush or from that apparently 

 welcome innovation, a fence post. 



The Longspurs and Lark Bunting sing in the air, in the 

 most charming manner ; not uttering their notes to the time 

 of rapid wing-vibrations, but, having attained an elevation 

 of from fifteen to thirty feet, the wings are held widely ex- 

 panded and, facing the wind, the singing bird floats, lightly, 

 gently, earthward, as though its buoyancy departed with its 

 escaping song. It is an exquisite performance. 



The Longspurs ' songs are bright, cheery, tuneful bits of 

 bird music, that of the Chestnut-collared suggesting a mini- 

 ature of the Western Meadowlark's. But of this trio of 

 floating songsters the Lark Bunting is the most distinguish- 

 ed. His song is truly a noteworthy effort, possessed of much 

 volume and sweetness and recalling strains of the Song 

 Sparrow, the Mockingbird and, especially, the Canary. At 

 all times conspicuous, the male, when floating earthward 

 with outstretcned, motionless wings, becomes a striking fig- 

 ure, visible for a long distance ; his colors a pronounced ex- 

 ception to those of most Plains birds. 



Another contradiction in color is found on comparing 

 the tails, in flight, of the Longspurs and Shore Lark ; the 

 former being conspicuously white, the latter black. What- 

 ever end is gained by the white tail, whether of the ' ' recog- 

 nition, " or of " signalling, " it is assuredly not served by the 

 black one ; still, both birds live under the same conditions 

 and are alike in general habits. 



The marked change which occurs in the character of the 

 bird-life as one reaches the lower ground bordering the 

 sloughs, is not heralded by a corresponding change in flora. 

 The alkalinity of the water is doubtless accountable for the 

 usual absence of bushes and trees about the lakes, and one 

 passes from the dry and perhaps parched plains into the 

 mud and water of the sloughs, with only a thickening and 

 lengthening of the grass which, in the water, gives way to 

 small tules. 



